3,5-Bis-ethylenedioxy-13{62 -alkyl-4,5-seco-{66 {hu 9,11{b -gonodiene-17-ones

ABSTRACT

Novel intermediates for the preparation of trienic steroids which intermediates have the formula   WHEREIN R is alkyl of one to four carbon atoms and X is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic of one to six carbon atoms optionally substituted and cycloalkyl of three to six carbon atoms and Y is selected from the group consisting of O and ethylenedioxy.

United States Patent Warnant et a1.

[ 3,5-B1S-ETHYLENEDIOXY- l 3B-ALKYL-4,S-

SECO-A -GONODIENE-17-ONES [75] inventors: ,lulien Warnant, Neuilly-sur'Seine;

,lean Jolly, Fontenay-sous-Bois, both of France [73] Assignee: Roussel-UCLAF, Paris, France [22] Filed: Sept. 24, 1973 [21] Appl. No: 400,170

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 213,731 Dec, 29, 1971, Pat. No,

Primary E.\'uminer-Richard L, Raymond Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hammond & Littell [57] ABSTRACT Novel intermediates for the preparation of trienic ste- [4 1 Oct.7,1975

roids which intermediates have the formula and v &/

R OH

wherein R is alkyl of one to four carbon atoms and X is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic of one to six carbon atoms optionally substituted and cycloalkyl of three to six carbon atoms and Y is selected from the group consisting of=O and ethylenedioxy.

2 Claims, No Drawings 3,5-BIS-ETHYLENEDlOXY-l3B-ALKYL-4,5- SECOA 'GONODIENE-l7-ONES PRIOR APPLICATION This application is a division of copending, commonly assigned application Ser. No. 213,731 filed Dec. 29, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,781,311.

STATE OF THE ART The compounds of formula I have interesting physiological properties, namely progestomimetic, androgenic or anticholesterolemic activity. French Pat. No. 1,492,782 describes the preparation of l3B-ethyl-l7aethynyl-A""-gonatriene-l7B-ol-3-one (compound of formula I where R is -CH CH,-, and X is C CH) by reacting 13B-ethyI-A "'-gonatriene-3,l7-dione to form 3-ethylenedioxyl Iifi-ethyl-A -gonatrienel7-one, reacting the latter with an ethynylation agent to obtain 3-ethylenedioxyl 3,8-ethyll 7a-ethynyl- A-"'-gonatriene-l73-01 and subjecting the latter to hydrolysis to form l3B-ethyl-17a-ethynyl-A -gonatriene-l 7B-ol-3-one.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide novel intermediates for the preparation of trienic steriods of formula I starting from a 4,5-seco-A "'-gonadiene.

This and other objects and advantages of the invention will become obvious from the following detailed description.

THE INVENTION The novel process for the preparation of trienic steriods of the formula wherein R is alkyl of one to four carbon atoms and X is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic of one to six carbon atoms optionally substituted and cycloalkyl of three to six carbon atoms comprises reacting I3- B-R-4,5-seco-A""-gonadiene-3,5,l7-trione wherein R is alkyl of one to four carbon atoms with ethylene glycol in the presence of an acidic catalyst to selectively form 3.5-bis-ethylenedioxy-l 3/3-R-4,5-seco-A""- gonadiene-l7-one, reacting the latter with an organo metallic compound wherein the organo is X as defined above to form 3,5-bis-ethylenedioxy- IBB-R- l 7a-X-4,5-seco-A"'"-gonadiene-l 7B-ol, subjecting the latter to acid hydrolysis to form l3B-R-l 7a- X-4.5-seco-A "-gonadiene-17B-ol-3,5-dione and cyclizing the latter with a basic agent to form the corresponding 1 3B-R- l 7a-X-A"--gonatrienel 7B-ol- 3-one.

In the compounds of formula I, R is preferably alkyl of one to four carbon atoms such as methyl. ethyl, propyl, isopropyl or butyl and X is preferably a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic radical optionally substituted such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, vinyl, allyl, 2'-

2 methylallyl, isobutenyl, ethynyl, l-propynyl, 2- propynyl, Z-butynyl, butadienyl, chloroethynyl or trifluoropropynyl or a cycloalkyl of three to six carbon atoms such as cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl.

The ketalization of the 3 and 5-keto groups with ethylene glycol is selective so that the l7-keto group is not ketalized. The acidic catalyst is preferably p-toluene sulfonic acid and the ketalization is preferably effected in the presence of a lower alkyl orthoformate such as ethyl orthoformate. This selective ketalization is remarkable because it is effected under mild conditions in excellent yields while the ketalization of the 3-keto group of A -gonatriene-3, 1 7-dione, a completely cyclized compound, as described in French Pat. No. 1,492,782 results in mediocre yields of 50 to 60%. The reaction is preferably effected at room temperature for a sufiicient period for the keto in the 3 and 5-positions to both react.

The organo-metallic compound is preferably an organomagnesium halide such as chloride, bromide or iodide or an organo alkali metal compound of the formula XM wherein X is as defined above and M is an alkali metal such as lithium, sodium or potassium.

The acid hydrolysis may be effected with an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid or an organic acid such as acetic acid, citric acid or ptoluene sulfonic acid. The hydrolysis may be effected in one or more solvents such as alkanols such as methanol, ethanol or isopropanol, ketones such as acetone or a hydrocarbon such as benzene or toluene.

The basic agent for the cyclization is preferably a strong base. Examples are alkali metal alcoholates such as sodium methylate, sodium ethylate, sodium or potassium tert.- butylate or potassium teramylate or an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.

Since each step and particularly the selective ketalization in the 3-and 5-positions is carried out with a very good yield, the process has the advantage over the already existing processes and particularly over the process of the FrenchPat. No. 1,492,782, to lead to a very high total yield of compounds of formula 1, starting from a non cyclized dienic derivative which is easily accessible in a steriod synthesis.

The I3B-R-4,5-seco-A "-gonadiene-3,5, l 7-triones used as starting materials can be prepared by dehydration of the corresponding 13B-R-4,5-seco-A"-gonene- I lB-ol-3,5,l7-trione with a dehydrating agent such as sulfuric acid.

In the following examples there are described several preferred embodiments to illustrate the invention. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments.

EXAMPLE I 13B-ethyll 7a-ethynyl-N' '-gonatrienel 7B-ol-3-one STEP A: 3,5-bis-ethylenedioxyl 3,8-ethyl-4,5-seco- A -gonadiene-l 7-one 5g of I 3B-ethyl 4,5-seco-A-gonadiene-3,5, l 7- 3 ethylenedioxyl 3B-ethyl-4,5-seco-A' '-gonadiene- 17-one melting at 138C and having a specific rotation [01],, 98.5 (c 0.5% in methanol containing 1% pyridine) which was used as is for the next step. A sam ple of the product was crystallized from methanol containing 1% pyridine for analysis.

Analysis: C H O molecular weight 388.49

The starting gonadiene was prepared as follows:

1 ml of ethyl ether was introduced at C under an inert atmosphere into 2 ml of an aqueous solution of 66 B sulfuric acid. Then. a suspension of 0. I90 gm of l 3B-ethyl-4,5-seco-A -gonene-l l B-ol-3,5, l 7-trione was added thereto and the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes at +l0C. The reaction solution was then poured into a mixture of water and ice and extracted with methylene chloride. The methylene chloride extracts were combined, washed with water, with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, again with water. dried and concentrated to dryness to obtain 13B- ethyl-4,5-seco-A"' '-gonadiene-3,5, l 7-trione.

STEP B: 3,5-bis-ethylenedioxyl 3fi-ethyll 'Ia-ethynyl- 4,5-seco-A -gonadiene-173-01 7.5 gm of potassium terbutylate were introduced into 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran and acetylene was bubbled therethrough for 30 minutes, 5 gm of 3,5-bisethylenedioxy-13B-ethyl-4,5 ,seco-A' -gonadienel 7-one were added and the mixture was agitated for l /z hours at 20C with acetylene bubbling. The resulting suspension was poured into an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride and the mixture was agitated. The formed precipitate isolated by suction-filtration, and was washed and dried to obtain 5.23 gm of 3,5-bisethylene-dioxyl 3fi-ethyll 7a-cthynyl-4,5-sec0-A gonadiene-l7B-ol melting at 178C which was used as is in the following step. A sample of this product recrystallized from methanol with 1% pyridine melted at 180C and had a specific rotation [112] -l38 (c 0.5% in methanol with P7: of pyridine) Analysis: C H Q molecular weight 4l4.52

STEP C: l3B-ethyll 7a-ethynyl-4,5-seco-A-"- gonadienel 7B-ol-3,5-dione 5 gm of 3,5-bis-ethylenedioxy-I3/3-ethyl-l7aethynyl-4,5-seco-A ""gonadiene-l7B-ol were introduced into ml of acetone and after 7.5 ml of an aqueous solution of about 3N-hydrochloric acid were added, the mixture was agitated for 2 hours at 20C. The resulting solution was poured into a water-ice mixture and agitated. The formed precipitate was isolated by vacuum filtration, was washed and dried to obtain 3.6 gm of l3B-ethyl-l7a-ethynyl-4,5-seco-A"'- gonadiene-17B-ol-3,5-dione melting at l 15C which was used as is for the following step. A sample of this product recrystallized from ethyl ether melted at l 16C and had a specific rotation [01],? 85.5(c 0.5% in methanol) Analysis: C H O molecular weight 326.42

Calculated: 9% C 77.26 '7? H 8.03 Found: 77.3 7.7 U V Spectrum (ethanol) l'fi max. at 292 nm E 782 lcm STEP D: l3B-ethyl-l7a-ethynyl-4 9,l l-gonatrienel7B-ol-3-one In an inert atmosphere. 3 gm of l3B-ethyl-l7aethynyl-4,5-seco-A" -gonadiene 1 7B-o1-3,5-dione were dissolved in 15 ml of methanol, and then 5.4 ml of a 10% methanol solution of potassium hydroxide were slowly introduced. The resulting solution was refiuxed for 2 hours and then cooled. 0.5 ml of acetic acid were added. and the reaction solution was poured in a water-ice mixture. cooled. and agitated. The formed precipitate was isolated by vacuum filtration, and was washed and dried to obtain 2.83 gm of crude product melting at 148C.

The 2.83 gm of crude product were dissolved in methylene chloride and some Florisil (activated magnesium silicate) was added to the solution. The mixture was agitated and the Florisil was filtered off. The filtrate was concentrated to dryness by distillation under reduced pressure and the residue was added ethyl ether. The solution was refluxed. cooled. and agitated. The formed precipitate was isolated by vacuum filtration, and was washed and dried to obtain 2.6 gm of l 3- B-ethyl-17a-ethynyl-A""'-gonatriene-l 7/3-ol-3-one melting at 150C, and having a specific rotation [01'1 =+83(c I?! in ethanol).

This compound is identical to that described in the French Pat. No. 1.492.782.

EXAMPLE ll Using the procedure of Example I, 4,5-seco-A'"- estradiene-3,5.l7-trione was selectively reacted with ethylene glycol to obtain 3,S-bis-ethylenedioxy-4,5- seco-A' -estradiene-l7-one which was then reacted with potassium acetylide to form 3,5-bisethylenedioxyl 7a-ethynyl-4,5-seco-A "-estradienel7B-ol. The latter was then subjected to acid hydrolysis to form l 7a-ethynyl-4,5 -seco-A""' -estradienel 7B-ol- 3.5-dione which was cyclized to. form l7a-ethynyl- A*-"'-estratricne-l7B-ol-3-one melting at l67C and having a specific rotation [01],, +6()(c 0.5% in ethanol).

The product was identical to the compound described in French Pat. No. 1.453 2l4.

The starting estradiene is obtained from 4,5-seco-A- estrene 1 [8-01 3,5,1 7-trione by a process analogous to the one described in step A of Example I.

EXAMPLE Ill 3.5-bis-ethylenedioxy-4,5-seco-A"-estradienel7-one was reacted with methyl magnesium bromide to form 3,5-bis-ethylenedioxyl 7a-methyl-4,5-seco-A" estradienel 7/3-ol which was subjected to acid hydrolysis to form l7a-methyl-4.5-seco-A "-estradiene-l7B- ol-3.5-dione. The latter was cyclized to form 17amethyl-A "-estratriene-l7B-ol-3-one melting at l69C and having a specific rotation [01],?" 57(c 0.5% in ethanol).

The product was identical to the compound described in French Pat. No. l,426,077.

EXAMPLE IV 3,5-bis-ethylenedioxy-4,5-seco-A" -estradienel7-one was reacted with the lithium derivative of chloroacetylene to obtain 3,5-bis-ethylenedioxy-I70:- chloroethynyl-4,5-seco-A""-estradienel 7B-ol which was subjected to acid hydrolysis to form I70:- chloroethynyl-4.5-seco-A "'-estradienel 7B-oI-3,5- dione. The latter was cyclized to form 17achloroethynyl-A "-estratriene-17B-ol-3-one melting at l93C and having a specific rotation [41],?" +l28(( 0.6% in methanol).

The product was identical to the compound described in French Pat. No. l,5l4,075.

EXAMPLE V scribed in French Pat. No. l,5l4,086.

EXAMPLE V] 3,5-bis-ethylenedioxy-4,5-seco-A -estradienel7-one was reacted with cyclopropyl lithium to form 3,5-bis-ethylenedioxyl7a-cyclopropyl-4,5-seco-A estradiene- I -01 which was subjected to acid hydrolysis to form 17a-cyclopropyl-4,5-seco-A""-estradiene l7B-ol-3,S-dione. The said product was cyclized to form I 7a-cyclopropyl-A" "'-estratrienel 7,3-ol-3-0ne.

U V Spectrum Max. at 344 nm E The product is identical to the compound described in French Pat. No. 2,036,820.

Various modifications of the process may be made without departing from the spirit or scope thereof and it should be understood that the invention is to be limited only as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A compound of the formula wherein R is alkyl of one to four carbon atoms.

2. A compound of claim I wherein R is ethyl. 

1. A COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA
 2. A compound of claim 1 wherein R is ethyl. 